Mail-carrier.



M.- T. MILLER. MAIL CARRIER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 27, 1911.

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' Patented Mar. 26, 1912;

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M. T. MILLER.

MAIL GAERIBR. APPLICATION FILED JULY 27, 1911.

1,021,620, PatentedMar. 2 1912.

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MARTIN T. MILLER, OF TRACY, IOWA.

MAIL-CARRIER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

Application filed July 27, 1911. Serial No. 640,886.

Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Carriers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,

clear, and exact description of the invention,

such as will enable other skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in devices for carrying mail, and is particularly adapted for use for rural carriers.

The invention has for its object to produce a device of this character which is simple in constrution and one in which, after assortment, the mail may be clamped firmly to prevent loss, and at the same time permitting ready removal of the mail to be delivered.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended; it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

.In the drawings :-Figure 1 is an elevation of the device, showing the manner in which mail is clamped and carried thereby. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view. Fig. 3 is a side view of the device. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view, the same being taken above the clamping member. Fig. 5 is a similar view taken above the tie bar. Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective view of one of the latches.

The device consists of a single piece of stout metal 1, preferably circular in cross section and bent so as to provide side sections 2, one of the side sections terminating in a curved portion 3 which extends downwardly and in line with the upper end of the other side section, the meeting ends of the curved portion 3 and side section 2 being screw threaded for engagement with an interiorly threaded nut 3, which when operated firmly secures the ends together.

The lower ends of the sections 2 terminate in parallel bends 1 and intermediate reverse bends 5, the intermediate bends being arranged in a horizontal plane and being of sufficient length to extend beyond the opposite sides of the sections 2 to form an integral base 6.

The inner surfaces of the sections 2 are provided with notches 7, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described.

Slidably mounted upon the side sections 2 is a clamping member 8, said member consisting of curved flanges 9, which form grooves 10. Slidably mounted in the clamp ing member are a pair of oppositely disposed latches, each of which consisting of a base plate 11, the inner end of which is reduced to curve upwardly and outwardly producing a finger loop 13 the free end of which is extended through and secured within an opening 12 formed within the base plate as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

Rigidly secured to the reduced portions of the loops 13 are studs 14, said studs being directed toward each other and acting to hold a coil spring 15 against displacement,

said spring having its outer terminals rest ing against the inner sides of the loops 13, thetendency of the spring being to at all times force each latch in engagement with the notched faces of the sections 2. The outer ends of each base plate 11 are curved to correspond to the circular formation of the sections 2. From this construction it will be seen that the base plates of the latches are allowed to slide freely in the grooves 10 formed in the clamping member.

The opposite ends of the clamping member are provided with openings 16 through which the side sections 2 are passed, and extend a short distance beyond the outer faces of the sections 2 to permit the operator to grasp the extended ends to force the clamping member downwardly upon the mail to be clamped, the finger loops 13 being grasped and forced toward each other and against the tension of the spring to allow the clamping member to travel upwardly on the side sections for further use;

When the mail matter has been assorted it is placed upon the base 6 and the clamping member is forced downwardly, during which travel the base plates of the latches automatically engage with the notches formed in the side sections, thereby firmly clamping the mail.

To prevent spreading of the reverse bends forming the base 6 a tie bar 17 is employed the same having suitable openings formed in its opposite ends for engagement with the lower ends of the side sections 2.

By providing the curved portion 3 a handle is produced, whereby the device may be conveniently carried.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that the device may be also employed as a binder or holder for papers and files, the same being then well adapted for use in offices.

What is claimed, is

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base and vertically arranged side sections formed from a single length of metal, one of said sections being curved, the end of which being in alinement with the upper end of the other side section, a nut adapted to connect the ends of said sections, a clamping member slidably mounted on the side sections, means carried by said member for holding the same in a clamped and adjusted position.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a base and side sections formed from a single length of metal, said 1 base being formed with horizontally arranged reverse bends, each side section having its inner face formed with notches, a clamping member adjustably mounted upon the side sections, said member having grooves formed therein, oppositely disposed latches having a base plate adapted to slide in said. grooves, finger engaging loops carried by the latches, a coil spring arranged between the latches to hold the same in engagement with the notches formed in the side sections, whereby the adjusting memher may be held in an adjusted position for clamping mail and the like.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

MARTIN T. MILLER. Witnesses J. M. MIGKLE, E. HOGATE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

